I'm an American, boys, and I've come a long way,Born and bred in the USASo listen up close, I've got something to sayBoys, I'm buying this roundWell it took a little while, but we're in this fightAnd we ain't going home 'til we've done what's rightWe're gonna drink Camden Town dry tonight,If I have to spend my last pound

When I first got to London it was pourin' down rainMet a little girl in the field canteenPainted her name on the nose of my planeSix more missions, I'm goneWell I asked if I could stay and she said that I mightThen the warden came around yelling "Turn out the lights"Death rainin' out of the London nightWe made love 'til dawn

[Chorus:]But when Johnny Come Lately comes marching homeWith a chest full of medals and a G.I. loanThey'll be waitin' at the station down in San AntoneWhen Johnny comes marching home

My P-47 is a pretty good shipAnd she took a round comin' cross the channel last tripI was thinkin' 'bout my baby and letting her ripAlways got me through so farWell they can ship me all over this great big worldBut I'll never find nothing like my North End girlI'm taking her home with me one day, sirSoon as we win this war

[Chorus]

Now my grandaddy sang this songTold me about London when the Blitz was onHow he married grandma and brought her back homeA hero thoughout his landNow I'm standing on a runway in San DiegoA couple Purple Hearts and I move a little slowThere's nobody here, maybe nobody knowsAbout a place called Vietnam